Holly Township officials come to stalemate over Rolling Hills Drive properties

Due to unpaid back taxes, Holl...

HOLLY TOWNSHIP, Michigan – Holly Township officials would like to put four vacant Rolling Hills Drive parcels back on the tax rolls, but on Wednesday, they couldn’t agree on a method for making it happen.

Rolling Hills Drive is located in the unfinished housing development north of Grange Hall Road between North Holly and Fish Lake Roads.

Due to unpaid back taxes, Treasurer Mark Freeman said the state of Michigan had first right of refusal on the lots. The state declined, so the opportunity then went to Holly Township which accepted ownership of the land.

With each parcel measuring less than 1-acre in size, Clerk Karin Winchester said the township received a proposal from RE/MAX Platinum to have a broker sell the lots for $5,000 apiece, with Holly Township forking over a $1,500 commission for each parcel.

Freeman said the broker recommended a higher selling price, but said pricing the land at $5,000 per lot would ensure a quick sale.

Holly Township Supervisor, Dal...

Supervisor Dale Smith said the 30 percent commission fee per parcel was a concern for some board members, adding that general real estate commissions are typically 6 to 7 percent, or 10 percent for commercial properties. After meeting with a representative of RE/MAX, however, Smith said he now believes other firms would ask for the same commission on that specific type of sale. Prior to the crash of the housing market in 2007, Smith said the properties were valued at $15,000 each.

Oak Hill Cemetery encroaches on property the previous developer owns, Smith said, adding that Holly Township officials might be able to work out a trade.

With recent activity in the township’s building department, Winchester said one contractor in particular may be interested in one or more of the lots, eliminating the need for a broker.

Smith said postponing the agreement with the broker and investigating further options might allow Holly Township to sell the land without spending $6,000 in commission fees.

Winchester’s motion for authorization to discuss the matter with the potentially interested builder died without support.

Freeman then made a motion to accept the contracts with the broker on the four Rolling Hill Drive parcels. His motion also died without support.

After the meeting, Winchester said the board will weigh all of the options, which could include meeting with the previous developer about property he owns adjacent to the cemetery.